AEP Assessment and Evaluation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of conducting a task analysis before selecting an ergonomic assessment tool?
- To satisfy OSHA recordkeeping requirements
- To identify the key physical demands and risk factors present in the job (Correct answer)
- To calculate workers' compensation costs
- To determine the employee's training level
Correct answer: To identify the key physical demands and risk factors present in the job
Task analysis identifies the physical demands, postures, and risk factors of a job, guiding selection of the most appropriate assessment tool.
Question 2: Which outcome measure from the NIOSH Lifting Equation indicates that the lifting task exceeds recommended limits?
- Coupling multiplier > 1.0
- Lifting Index (LI) > 1.0 (Correct answer)
- Frequency multiplier = 1.0
- Asymmetry multiplier < 0.5
Correct answer: Lifting Index (LI) > 1.0
A Lifting Index greater than 1.0 indicates the recommended weight limit has been exceeded and the task poses increased injury risk.
Question 3: In ergonomic assessment, inter-rater reliability refers to:
- The consistency of a single observer across multiple sessions
- The degree of agreement between two or more independent observers (Correct answer)
- The accuracy of a tool compared to a gold standard
- The repeatability of a measurement instrument
Correct answer: The degree of agreement between two or more independent observers
Inter-rater reliability measures how consistently different observers score the same task using the same assessment tool.
Question 4: Which type of measurement provides the most objective data for assessing whole-body vibration exposure?
- Worker self-report survey
- Trained observer checklist
- Triaxial accelerometer mounted on the seat or floor (Correct answer)
- Biomechanical static strength model
Correct answer: Triaxial accelerometer mounted on the seat or floor
ISO 2631 recommends using triaxial accelerometers to objectively measure whole-body vibration in three orthogonal axes at the worker's seat or feet.
Question 5: The 'coupling' multiplier in the NIOSH Lifting Equation accounts for:
- The horizontal distance of the load from the body
- The quality of the hand-to-object grip or connection (Correct answer)
- The vertical travel distance of the lift
- The asymmetry angle of the lift
Correct answer: The quality of the hand-to-object grip or connection
The coupling multiplier adjusts the Recommended Weight Limit based on how well the worker can grip the load (good, fair, or poor coupling).
Question 6: When using OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysis System), how are posture categories combined to determine action priority?
- Only the worst single body region score determines priority
- Body region scores for back, arms, and legs are combined using a lookup table (Correct answer)
- Scores are averaged across all body regions
- A regression equation converts posture codes to a single numeric score
Correct answer: Body region scores for back, arms, and legs are combined using a lookup table
OWAS uses a predefined lookup table that cross-references back, arm, and leg codes along with load/force to assign one of four action categories.
Question 7: A job requires sustained pinch grip for 70% of an 8-hour shift. Which assessment tool is most appropriate to quantify this specific risk?
- REBA
- OWAS
- Strain Index (Correct answer)
- NIOSH Lifting Equation
Correct answer: Strain Index
The Strain Index evaluates risk factors for distal upper extremity disorders including intensity of effort, duration per exertion, and efforts per minute — ideal for pinch-grip tasks.
AEP Assessment and Evaluation 3
What is the primary purpose of conducting a task analysis before selecting an ergonomic assessment tool?